South of Socorro

The second half of the week we stayed at an airbnb south of Socorro, in a camper on an alpaca farm. We chose it primarily for its proximity to the Bosque del Apache wildlife refuge; the tour of the farm was a bonus. The owner is a schoolteacher who breeds alpacas for their wool and is full of enthusiasm for fiber, and alpacas generally. 

We also enjoyed evening walks in the neighborhood, listening to the coos of mourning doves and watching another beautiful sunset. Later the stars were brilliant, in this remote spot with little light pollution.

This alpaca discovered the sign while we were out there, and seemed to find it tasty.

Alpacas, and dogs to guard against coyotes, and goats to deal with weeds in the fields.

A nearby irrigation ditch (and a railroad off to the right, a short block from the trailer -- but trains were rare, and we're used to them anyway

The tree that sheltered the camper and our car -- and a bit of the vast sky

Sign seen around nearby Socorro. Ignore the political tagline -- every community could use an angel!